Something out of nothing

This is the natures way of showing us that anything can come out of nothing. here we see a broken coconut shell, from which a small plant (sapling) is creeping in the direction of the sun. the season was obviously rainy season (the season of blooms and new growth in nature) and the venue was one of the many beautiful roadways of Goa

Beauty in nature:2

The second photo is an extraordinary tomato in all the other ordinary ones, For some it looked like a baby infant nestled, to others it looked like garlic pod...take ur pick. Incidently I have to thank the shopkeeper who was good enough to not only allow me to take the photo but also give the tomato the right angle to the light.

Beauty in nature:1

Mooli hands, just so beautiful, anyone would like to have them, never seen such mutations before, this was really a pleasant surprise

Hogging books

That’s what my hubby says whenever he buys for me the books. But I cant help it…I started off with reader’s digest, a humble edition then, and I just started loving the book world.the main point was when I had just finished my 10th std, holidays were longggggg and I was really bored. That’s when my grandmother’s friend who had loads of books invited me at her place. It was actually delectable sight. Books all around actually made my mouth water. And in my 2 months tenure I almost finished most of the books. Then started my college life. At a decent pocket money of 200 rs started my rounds at raddiwalls of dadar (where my college was located) and around andheri (my place) rather than movies (that I almost got to see every time on TV) and eating out (I always preferred roadside sandwiches,vada pavs and dosas..economical and filling).when it came to books and cassettes (now defunct in the MP3 world) I borrowed money, usually from my mother with a deal of cutting the borrowed sum from the next month’s pocket money. And I got hold of latest music, instrumental and non instrumental,old classics (thanks to my dad’s passion for C.Ramchandra’s “Sunday ke Sunday” which rewinded every sunday) and new tunes, rock and pop.
Books was a different story. Unlike my friends who read only when recommended by curriculum or at the exam time I read and read thanks to my subjects like psychology (human brain and its innumerable functions called “cognition”) and english litrature just fascinated me. I read classics and modern literature, first to score more then because of interest. Language never was a barrier then (thanks to maxmuellers german I got hold of brecht)and now (alliance fancaise u rock with asterix and guy de Maupassant in the same vase) and ofcourse mother tongue marathi.Books give me a release, they refresh me and my imagination runs riot, thanks to books they improve my worldly knowledge as well the better knowledge …knowledge of soul

My creation on Diwali

Its lunch break creation on paper,tried to do with rangoli:)With lots of encouragement from my Mom ofcourse:) to my lazy self ofcourse

Beautiful "veni"

Riot of flamboyant colors...thats "veni" for you. a bit different from the usual "gajra" this looks beautiful and just out of the world, making even the ordinary hairstyles extraordinary.
Here it is in beautiful "shankasur"( Caesalpinia pulcherrima )or peacock flowers.That simply take your breath away with their riot of colors.

<---- The "shankasur" in nature

Kuttu of Goa

Seen more sweetest street dog?

The rainbow

Its too short span to see it, but I see it every single day, the day I catch my usual 8.00AM bus. Sometimes I am asleep till that spot comes, but usually I am wide awake to see it.
There is a Johnson and Johnson company on my way to office. A big beautifully landscaped office. And they have a fountain in a corner, something that sends water in…as the bus passes by, the early morning sun rays kiss the fountain water, truly making it a majestic rainbow that shifts as the bus shifts, and it almost sprinkles out. Truly an amazing sight for me. J After which I am free to snooze till office comes

Paisa bolta hain

“what are you wearing?” my mom asked me. I looked at my self in the mirror. Dressed in tee shirt and jeans simple walking shoes…I looked……”casual”…”pls wear something better..for god’s sake we are going to a jeweler’s shop”. I was going to burst out laughing, but seeing my mom’s stern face, I kept quiet and changed to a better shirt…”is this ok?” I asked, knowing fully well that she won’t approve, she gave a disgusted nod and moved ahead. This was always the conversation we had when we decided to go to a shoe shop or some big shopping like silk, jewelry J
Yes I had noticed all this. And much more. I had experienced it. A lot of times. In past and also most recently. But unlike my mother who tried to be impeccable, I was always trying to hide whatever I had, and the dumb expression that frequented my face, always did its best to disguise. I loved always to make fun of such people. I don’t say that they were wrong. It was just like paisa bolta hain.
The usual attitude is seen from the common man as the watchman at the jewelry shop or the shoe shop person. Looking at me they always have doubts, I can’t blame them …but it shows in their eyes, that if I will be able to eat next day if I buy something exorbitant or not at the moment. Or that have I am in only for window shopping. And I always love to see their stricken expression when I flash my debit card having sufficient balance, or buy something for which I have been already judged worthless. I remember once I had been to one of these shoe shops in my usual deplorable self. And I gave the salesperson open mouth when I brought one of the best leather heeled ankle shoes. Somehow whenever I wear them they never cease to give me that “kick” of “fooled u” expression.
I have experienced these and such feelings when I was at odd ends ,pursuing a hobby after a post graduate degree, the people who gave me looks of “look at her…she should get a job but she is just wasting her poor parent’s money”, the same people got a nice jolt when I attained the height of being in the well paid profession born out of that pursuing of hobby. This is not only my experience, but maybe of any one who had been in similar position.

Recently I have experienced the change in people's attitude once they came to know that I am well off, a kind of "bieng pampered" where I earlier got almost a "step" and "ignored" feeling.
I love the anonymity. The façade of not having enough. Coz I love to see the genuine people whose feelings never change when I didn’t have much and when I had enough. That is the time when I see my true kinsmen and found my true friends. At such times I remember what once john f Kennedy (president of USA) had said once “forgive the insults but never forget them”. Yes for me these have been learning experience …and I always mutter amused when I have one of those … that.. “paisa bolta hain”

One more addition to my small group of “real” friends

“item, chams (short form of chamiya…some how I liked the word when I heard ‘namak ishq ka’from the film Omkara…a wonderful and skillful adaptation of the Shakespeare tragedy ‘Othello’” etc are the crude names I call her…but she never minds, and always gives me the same serene, shy, and one of the most sweetest smiles in the world.
To outsiders she always ends up giving an expression of being rude, maybe shy and at times introvert. Maybe she is, but once people come to know her they understand that she has the same rib ticking humor that never fails to make me smile.
But she has that quality that makes you comfortable once you get to know her. Never nosy or probing, and always patient when you want some one to hear you out. We do have our share of gossips, jokes, and wonderful mirth. There are times when we want to cry and the other person lends a patient shoulder. We share recipes, and personal jokes, different memories, our hurts, trials, tribulation and our dreams. Its just that we are like thinking alike usually…and I may appear more flamboyant (read talkative, and always waiting to crack a laugh) as compared to her, but that’s the way she is…ismita (as one of my friend calls her) for you

The wheel of life

On Sunday we went to a fair. Not a fair exactly, but just a mish mash of a giant wheel, tora-tora, some children’s amusements and that’s it. Now that we didn’t have anything better to do, we thought, why not try out the “giant wheel”. And in we went. Rains which were threatening to fall whole evening started off, first with pleasant pitter patter and as we sat into our car of giant wheel, the rains became actually nasty. Half wet in rains the giant wheel started. The ups were good…the downs almost made me say…”m . the falling out” I closed my eyes…wondering when the hec was this process going to stop. But I was enjoying it somewhere too. A feeling of euphoria rightly mixed as well as a feeling that comes before results or exams. My spine shivered at the thrill and I shivered because of the wet shirt and jeans clinging… A wonderful thought came to my mind. Life is a carousal, that merry go round…the ups give u euphoria and downs give you jitters. But that doesn’t stop in life and life just goes on…testing you …and sometimes you feel almost that you will fall. But that never happens…something like an anchor holds you back, to make you experience more and want more of the thrill of pain and happiness…after ups come downs, and just when you think it’s the deepest of the down, there is an up…this cycle gives me the thrill…to live and just experience…the ups and downs of the merry go round called life

Picnic in the train

Long distance travels just gives me hives. Train delays, slowing or stopping of trains for signals, unwanted conversation or too probing fellow passengers actually get on my nerves and especially when you are alone, boredom surely eats u up.
These and such things were there in my mind when I boarded the midnight train to Mumbai from Amit’s and now my home town.
As I settled down I just wanted to curl off to sleep. And which I did. it was the whole day of the next day that I dreaded the most. Traveling alone never gave me tension. But surely boredom did make me feel as if the time ends soon. The next day came a bit too early due to insomnia in the train.
There was a trio of teachers were there sharing the adjoining seats coming from Calcutta, attending a conference there. I don’t know how, maybe because of their being a teacher and me being an ex in the profession, maybe because of my talkativeness or the topics they chose to talk soon made me a part of them. Within no time their talks and coupled with 2 more other passenger’s contributions made us into a group. Sharing our chais and non stop chattering. I didn’t understand when morning turned to noon and then night. Now the growling stomach and less appetite made all of us wonder when a big station halt will come…it didn’t come for some time at least. Till one of us had an idea of removing some stuff, as snack? Soon all of us followed. And in the end we noticed that we collected quiet a bit. Remanants of potato chips and chakli felt like ambrosia for empty stomachs. A packet of moongdal and 2 cupcakes and a bit softned chiwda was all we had. We laughed and in full triumph started eating and sharing. The goods came to an early end. It surely didn’t satiate us but it did stave the hunger for some more time. In due course we had our small dinners but this time of sharing whatever we had for eating over lots of laughs, jokes and guffaws surely will stay in my memory for some time to come

Chintu programme in good company: my self

Saturday’s onset started with rains. It was decided the earlier day to go to mt Mary church. But looking at the sky and continuous pouring rains didn’t somehow give the courage to do so…somehow deciding to finish off what was once decided the feet left for the church. Located on the mountain this church and mainly its surroundings were classy. Not a hi fi church, but simple gothic design columns and the statue of mother Mary and baby Jesus staring serenely…this is one idol…considered to give you whatever you wanted and the offering given was just a way of fulfilling the gratitude to give when one got whatever one desired for. Truth in the “iccha devat” was not known but surely believing in god gave one confidence to perform better, performing mostly for the goal but without actually attached to it. Since it was a Saturday, coupled with rains and morning, hardly some people were found in church. Only one church door was opened even 10 minutes of sitting in silence just hearing chirping of sparrows was enough to feel good. A refreshing silence and solitude, both mental and physical. It made the feel of being closer to god…just happy with the environment. It made lifes troubles in a microcope and they seemed just so small. Life was fine. Warm and fresh from inside and a real good start to a glorious weekend.

On a rainy day

Today is a Friday (till now) and its raining incessantly in Mumbai…stopping and raining again. Friday was meant to be jeans day (or casual day…but I am always in my fave outfit jeans so its jeans day)so I wore my “only jeans” (most of my faves are transported back to Thane…and monsoon surely not a season for jeans as it makes you heavy weight champion once they get wet)…not ready to part with jeans I folded it and headed to the office sporting an umbrella…but rains are rains…the moment I was out of builing they came crashing to meet earth and poor me was caught in their meeting. Water quicky pooled around me…up to my ankles…freezing cold water made my feet white and numb…the jeans were half soaked. There was rain and wind…moist cool wind. I loved it…it made my already cheery Friday mood rocking fresh.
The bus came a bit late and we were stuck in the traffic…but I didn’t mind it a bit…I was just euphoric. watching the rain pattering on closed bus windows like a child…all fascinated with a smile on my lips…mind became a “bhoolbhulaiya” of thoughts but none too bad…all of them pleasant. We changed the bus and I sat at the window saet (which are plenty for the choice…since our bus stop is the staring point)…and was one of the few who kept their windows open. The cold moist air made me have Goosebumps…but it made my mood very light…enjoying every bit of this lovely Saturday to the fm radio tunes…needless to stay…today was one of the rare times when I didn’t snooze in the bus :)

The witches of the sand eat sandwiches

“bhukela” atma. Is what happens when not breakfasted and lunch is too early…what I always like at such times is mouthful and “healthy” stuff…Mornings are and never were for batata vadas sorry my best temptation
Sandwich always feels better for stomach and for the mood. I have tried sandwiches in restaurants…and to tell you frankly I have never come across any restaurant (I have never been to Taj) which serves tasty and filling sandwich. What we get is stale bready crust…tasteless limp vegetable bread…or even plastic film wrapped soggy stuff that gets sold on stations and out of town trains that I eat only if I am dying…and can’t face fried stuff in morning
The thelas always come to rescue at such times…as they serve some of the best and exotic sandwiches…fiery or mild as per requirements and surely you don’t have to finish them with a dose of tomato catsup (yup ketchup is actually catsup). Be it toast or sada…grilled and grilled with cheese…such sandwiches always make me totally satisfied and satiated.
My first stop was at andheri it self where I was born and brought up. Where I say…the prominent market area where every thing and anything available…sandwich thela walas are also in abundance. There is this sandwich wala where my sis and I have eaten…god knows for how long…his sandwiches were considered the best…till I met mr gupta…located near market…his sandwiches are clean (in spite of being a thela), having fresh ingredients and hey he even knows my preference of extra potato with my sandwich…these two sandwich walas don’t sell toast sandwiches…
The next stop is near my college in Matunga…this also a thela…It gave me first sense of independence of ordering something by my self for my self…and in limited pocket money…his were also the first sandwiches that I saw topped with sev…
Mithibai college sandwiches come close behind…with their variety and tasty sandwiches…the first time I ate grilled sandwich..@40 rs surely bore a big hole in my at that time a students pocket.
Sandwiches at churchgate, near alliance francaise the Bombay main office and American council were better for my pocket and tasty stuff…both the toasted and sada versions…with the thela wala non committal when asked for extra quantities of sauce and chutney…that quelled the hunger along with the seemingly miniscule sandwich for a growling stomach. The seemingly elusive sandwichwala at Somani School gave better and economical fare than the somani canteen itself. The sandwich was good . this was one person who knew how much chutney to slather and how much sauce to be splattered on his efforts…if at all the sandwich needed to be splattered…depended on “user requirement” This sandwich gave me extra time to spend with my classmates guffawing and gossiping over sandwiches. Both toasted and sada like our talks sometimes crispy, chirpy and sometimes worried (especially at exam time)
Lastly the sandwich at Thane…that I almost always have with my better (?) half…over a lot of chat (from end) and laughter (both of us) the sandwich disappears leaving us full for some time till dinner is prepared.
Subways somehow gives my variety of bland sandwiches or submarines…veggies stashed between two slices of French bread…one has to oft take care that the ingredients don’t fall ,the mayo does not smear ur lips and that u appear sleek and elite while eating them.
The chutney sandwiches of mahableshwar where fiery green chutney was subdued by butter…making the result absolutely delectable.

Sandwiching at home was always with superior results with “chow-mous” at aai’s where she sandwiched leftover potato sabji in two slices of bread and toasted it. The result for a mid afternoon snack was simply out of the world or cheese toast in the morning…The cucumber sandwiches of butted slices and salty peppery paper-thin cucumber slices…or sandwiches that I prepare of coleslaw and dinner rolls at home…”ghaspus” I love u

As I write this my mouth is already watering and I am heading for fridge…thinking of having wafer sandwich…wafters crunched between buttered bread slices…surely will satiate my craving for chips and desire to eat

For kanchipuram idli

After heading to the bank early in the morning on a sturday  I requested aai to have “kanchipurm idli” at Radha Krishna…makeupd Udipi restaurant
The udipi restaurants are best visited for udipi I mean south Indian stuff….coz sandsiches will be limp and tasteless and poor versions of potato vada or alu bonda…instead of fiery “batata vada”
But with rasam vada , medu vada,idli and dosa-uttappa you can seldom go wrong…and this restaurant also serves one classic called “kanchipuram idli”.
The idli took long to arrive…but when it did and I put the first bite in my mouth…virgin…without accompaniments like sambhar and chutneys…it tasted heavenly. When you put some cardamom, and sugar in normal idli batter, decorated with raisins and cashew nuts steam it in banana leaf and drizzle it with pure ghee…the effect is spectacular and mouthwatering and with its three sisters of sambhar, a white coconut and an orange dal chutney…the effect was…………………………..so good that I am willing to sacrifice my every Saturdays sleep for this divine idli

Water my dearie…fresh clear water

Yesterday many reasons prompted me to go back to our place. Better half is sun soaking in San Fran and I have to do the needful. I was worried about the amount of water at our place reached rock bottom. A friend had half heartedly volunteered to stay overnight and fill the tank…no one could blame him…each person had his/her priorities and if I would have been his place I would have said plain “NO”…
Why so much hustle and bustle over water??? The reason is we get water only for few hours every day…twice a day…but in summers the water became a rare commodity (demand more than supply funda) and the twice a day time table had become once a day hurry…
I dumped the remaining parcels and was on verge of leaving when I heard hiss of the taps. I had forgotten that summers are long gone and rains have reached their mid. Voila…I tested the tap…and voila out gushed water as if it no longer wanted to stay in the confines of the tap…I quickly filled the tank…relishing the fact with a smirk on the face that…the tank was getting full in a jiffy. Now I would have water when I came back…for so much work that involved the valuable water. I filled the tank…water bottles and like a long lost friend late to go home…the supply stopped…me all satisfied. With the same half smile I locked the door and headed at aai’s

Life on a rainy day

It started raining in Mumbai, after just so many days. Mother nature had pity on us and sent her favorite son “monsoon” to freshen the surroundings with his weapon “rains”, and Mumbai got drenched (for good in the rains)…he he like a small child I used to pray when I got up and when I exercised that it should rain so much that it would be a welcome holiday “blame it on rains”…but clever rains never gave me the opportunity to do so.
Yesterday I had work to do, trying to see if I could get water tank filled at our place…and since I am going there…dumping remaining clothes and other parcels.
I got down at “teen hath naka” at Thane and headed at our place…the environment was truly divine…humid air had been replaced by cool fresh air…water water every where and at time rains drizzling as if they had indeed become lethargic after a long day…from past few days they were truly acting like government employees giving the “HOOL” of coming and never actually doing I mean never actually coming…but past few days was a welcome change. Rains had indeed transformed the place. And Thane is still green…and having mountains…though those mountains are becoming slowly naked with continuous encroachment…for them to become bare and a perfect example of Mumbai will still take time…
Rains had used their magic wand to make greenery so lively and so much shades colorful…just like jade country…the mountains were hazy with cloud formation and there was mild fog…that added to romanticism…I was famished…my dinner would still take a long time to come…and I was in mood for a fiery toast sandwich…my mouth watered as the Bhaiya started preparing my order….and I ate the whole sandwich in a record time of 7 minutes…The hunger + cool rains and hot sandwich had its effect…making me more stronger I headed at our place. After dumping stuff and filling water I left for back long journey to Mumbai…I mean andheri  the season had made the roads shine and cool night air made me think of my irritating better (?) half who loved rains himself. Bus was procured late…not many people and bus depot in pitch darkness save for the flashlight of a mega mart…finally bus arrived and I seated my self near the window…enjoying the cool moist air of which I never had my fill…listening with now come now gone radio stations…when I went off to sleep I didn’t realize….I got up only after the bus reached powai lake…glistening at night…looking like a bejeweled lake in the renaissance hotels lights…The bus still took some time till I managed to get down, a bit late…blame it on rains ..but no one on the road…every one at their warm homes…lonely and the wet glistening path…shimmering in moon light took my exhausted sleep drunken self to aai’s warm cooking and a warm bed.. my feet gathered speed……and I headed home..

Of petpuja

Looking of me no one will even think that I eat…forget about loving food. But I honestly do…collecting food articles, reading about different variety food trying new stuff and always seeing recipe serials is one of my favorite pastime…this also includes trying something new or trying some where new…of course…veg stuff..
I always believe that we always appreciate food when we are our hungry best…and this is what happened when I headed to my place yesterday. I was FAMISHED. I thought of batata vada (my all time fave) and bhajias ( not that fave) but as I dragged my self to our place…with a very heavy and bulky bag…I saw it
“thela” or in “pur” English “hawker”. And it sold my favored snack…sandwich…but I was in no mood for veg sandwich, and the environment made me crave for something warm…and at last I ordered for a veg toast sandwich. I mentally drooled as I saw the bhaiya preparing the sandwich…and finally toasted and gave it to me…”less butter” and without makeup of chutney and sauce…I gulped six pieces in a record time of 7 minutes. I love “hot from the oven” fresh stuff…piping hot batatas vadas or even plain roti just made…fresh and letting of its anger of roasting with a steam…
The green chutney dug claws on my tongue with its fieriness. The tomato and cucumber slices were almost liquid in the sandwich…mixed in the garam masala potato “chokha” in the sandwich…the hot water that they emanated made my lips burn and letting off the steam from the sandwich with “huh and haas” I finished off the sandwich…and coupled with free potato slice…I headed for my journey…strangely satiated at the economical humble fare of toast sandwich

For u my better (?) half

I have written about all the people who matter to me in my life and you are one of them..but I had left with little words to describe...How can one define sunshine?? Thats what u are...the sunshine in my life..the one constantly encouraging...never restricting...always helpful and having a good ear to my woes...giving me hope when I lack it the most.making me laugh with ur silly jokes and making me cry with ur songs (yes they are that bad:))

Thanks for bieng in my life...I cant say more...yaar vocab hi nahin bachi...but the perpetual, seemingly "foolish" smile says it all.

an ode to "aai"

My first best friend was and is always u
I can share everything without constraints with u
U know what goes on in my mind
u know when I hurt
when I am happy
ur heart aches when I cry
n u r happiest when I show a hint of smile
u are there even before I say HELP
u give me words of advice even when I say I dont need them
u care even when I say care a damn
u come back even when I push u away
U forgive even when I use spiteful words
u give me strength when I need the most
u love me even when I am wrong
I love u aai for who you are
coz for you are the one who loves me inspite of my rejections inspite of my imperfections
And If I could ask one thing to god...that would be ur daughter in next birth too

For u only

Now that I spoke of of one friendship..my other best friend left for better pastures in the land of better opportunities...I was sad when I heard initially that she is leaving for USA infinitely...would miss her for our daily chais...her valuable help in translations with her limited knowlege in french...when I was almost drowned in my work...her concern when I had heartbreak and her triumph when I got what I wished for the most...she came for the wedding reception inspite of having to go on the same day out of town...and I was never there when she needed me the most...where was I???
whatever it is...u are strong darling...and this break was what u needed the most...
and whereever u are and whatever u will be doing...I will be somewhere ...thinking of you...and I am just a phonecall away
ciao at the moment...and dont stop salsieng in life
Love u darling:)

Forgiven...Thanks Vaiju:)

One of my lovliest friends, who I manged to forget from my memory of holes was Vaiju...
No school or college friendship here...it was when both of us raw (well, she was trained raw)starting our first job.
what started as real work related calls to employee gossip budded into real friendship. I was the keeper of her secrets (as usual)and she was my strength...later our jobs and later her marriage and shifting to Dubai took us apart...life was now on virtual means by the use of email.
and then one day that stopped too...till I announced that I have found some one crazy enough to get married to me. she was the first one to pity him and marvel at my luck :):)...but later somehow I actually FORGOT to invite her for the wedding...(blame it on my memory of holes...again) later when she understood, she didnt say a thing and just stopped communicating :(...I missed miss rani mukherjee (she had that look and god she sounded like her too)...
Then one day when I was feeling unusually lonely...she just called to say that she is back in Mumbai for some time...and then...*#%&^@!~..
I just said "I am sorry vaiju..." and she bieng that big hearted piecian...forgave me...and I got my friend again
THE END...or was that the beginning of much more deeper freindship...I am now sure of the other option:)

Mahila mandal

Now a days I look forward to lunch time. Not because I am too hungry. (which I am usually) but because I get to meet them. These "them" have worked with me before but I was never this close to them...it was only when my better half left for overseas than I got hold of their company and which was for good.
Three is never a crowd...we love to share anything and everything...not really soulmates...but ones who make a bit tasteless life spicy for some time...a piece of harmless gossip, diet tips, project talks, back biting managers , project woes is done collectively over rapidly cooling lunch at rush time...its a pleasure when I get a call or a ping on my communicator "lunch...?"
Its amazing.and I never realise when the lunch time passes away...it makes somewhat drab worklife bearable.
Thanks Chums...u wont be forgotten and even when my better(?) half (?) arrives I wont stop lunching with u...so much for a nice friendship

I am forgotten

{just some jot downs...not exactly felt...but more of that imagined}

I am forgotten,

Long time gone, I am no more in the mind

I am gone

Lives continue, memories fade

I am forgotten

Just a faded picture, writing whose ink is long gone

I am forgotten I am gone

The least used path leads to me

Silence clings to me

Only my tears hold me close

I am forgotten…I am gone

The express to Shanghai

Finally the outing was decided. A taste of very often seen but never tried restaurant. A bit doubtful, I agreed when my friend decided to go there…we had a short walk from the office, hunger nearly burning holes in our stomach, as we reached in the sultry afternoon sun to the restaurant.
The hunger was now replaced with stomach groaning “khana do pls…” as we gorged on the sweetened cucumber and kimchi (peppered or shall I say chillied cabbage in sugar water) we glanced at the menu and decided for the special soup of the restaurant, along with steamed wontons. Both arrived later. My friend and I thought that we have to order kimchi again when soups and starter arrived. One bit and both felt that we were in heaven. Not ruined by sauces, not too spicy, proper consistency and amazing taste, the soup didn’t need any additions of the sauces mildly flavored with chilly garlic sauce it was having bits of colorful yellow , red and green peppers and thinly sliced mushrooms. The seamed wantons were out of the world. Without over use of soy sauce and salt, their skins just a bit thick, they tasted divine. And since they were not fried, they slipped like spiced cotton candy from our mouths. I was still hungry and so was my friend. But we went full with triple Sichuan rice where we tasted rightly fried rice (not raw at all) in a bed of tomato gravy and fried noodles. Her friend was full in 1.5 servings and I had to finish the remaining rice. But I didn’t mind. I was amazed that I didn’t have to add a single drop of sauce to anything. That perfectly spiced and seasoned every dish was. And coming from a mediocre looking restaurant with real limited seating space, it was truly an asset. Walking back was no issues but we didn’t have dessert and as we reached café coffee day we felt chocolate brownies calling us. We paid heed to its calls and inside enjoyed brownies specked with walnuts.
Truly an amazing experience it was, three cheers to “shanghai express”

weekends out: bleshwar 3

Day two dawned with cold shower...seems they had finished warm water...cold shower in cold envt was grrrrrrrrreat (brrrr)...we had a breakfast of idli vadas and set for part 2 of mahableshwar exploration...to echo point that didnt give echos and watching some non discript stuff by telescope...Amit giving actorisc poses for photos and mercury in temprature and temper rising...we finished by gocating and strawberry farm visit...where we had strawberry shake and bought strawberries...(small colorless tasteless replica of the exotic ones we had earlier day..which got bad the day of leaving...)

a gujrati lunch complete with puranpolis awaited us...we had a small nap and in the evening went to a park and later to a small amusement park, tasting corn pattis and strawberry crush...a mediocre fare...

on our way after confirming the tickets the next day, and finally buying that pair of shoes I had been pining for we went back by the lonely road to our hotel...having a dinner and later packing the bags...

The next day I was up unusually early...and didnt want to go back to sleep...after getting ready and and tucking the stuff in the awaiting cab, I turned back and had a good look at the hotel...
The cab started and later the bus...slowly taking me away from bleshwar...my first moon...
and a thought came to my mind....our next destination would be..............any where as long as the experience would be good and unique..........like bleshwar

Weekends out Bleshwar2

The hotel was good. not the five star kind but one that overlooked a beautiful misty valley. we deposited the luggage and immediately went to break the fast...a scrumptious feast of uttapas, poha and tea/coffee awaited us....after pushing our stomachs to the limit we set out again...

walking by the single road that connects whole of mahableshwar together. we had juiciest strawberries whose taste still lingered on my tongue. while coming we saw a cute monkey with the biggest tail...
We wandered in mahableshwar market and I set my eyes on the orange fresh carrots with leaves still on them...I thought my lunch was made...

but after we went back to hotel I realized that all this thinking was false. lunch was simple gujrati affair...with its farsaans and bhakris and khichdis and kadhis...

The shortest nap was that I had here...as we set to explore bit more of mahableshwar...and pachgani...of mala jam factory and table lands...pandav gufa...(always wondering what made them so special)...
we clicked photos and Amit treated me with one of the best teas which I had in that gufa...seated on the stool cum woodlog...rustic environement...rustic evening indeed

The last stop was venna lake where we had boat riding. seeing half submerged trees (looking downright eerie) and small buildings...a result of last years heavy rains...

The dusk approached slowly...the mist rising slowly again, giving birth to another pleasant cool night

Weekends out. Bleshwar 1

The time came and went when the marital status changed from single to married. getting adjusted to new life and style, new people and not forgetting the old,getting adjusted to new habits and habitat had me completely flabbergasted. getting married to the person I love and later loving the person I got married to...getting married to him 24 hours in my life..the struggle still continues...but its not only oneway but two way as I am not alone
Our first outing out was not our honeymoon...we didnt have any due to certain constraints...but after nearly 2 months of marriage...we went out over a weekend to mahableshwar
this 3 days and 2 nights trip was planned from top to bottom by none other than...u guessed it right...the travel agency :):) and who did u think of??
we boarded the bus to bleshwar( the short form to long name) on friday night...a bit delayed bus stomachs semi full with hotel biryani and roadie dosas...the bus was playing the recently released and seen RACE. but fatigue to, took its toll and I fell asleep before half was over...bus later stopped at 2ish at a bit sidey roadside dhabba where Amit had a foreign brand mirinda can out of a straw...I have a photo as a proof of this antic:)..later we boarded the bus and I dozed off again...sleeping like a mummy...completely covered in the shawl like cover which Amit had thoughtfully brought from home...some minutes before bus's arrival...I was awaken by Amit .."ab iske aage bus nahi jayega...uth jao"and I got down to a pleasantly cold weather...all set to enjoy bleshwar to the boot

A not so forgotten friend

The one who stood by me always. always giving me confidence when I failed and partied when I succeeded. It was u my dearest Nammu...Nammy or just plain Namrata.

It is always said that its always better keeping the skeletons in the cupboard. but u never did that and never allowed me to do that. U were strong when I was the weakest and far off but still there when I was the strongest.

I remember how we met. U had just got admission in third year of law in JCCL. but I never knew u. u were there sitting on ladies seat, reading one of the enormous books on legal studies and making me wonder"gosh...she is smart" We got ready to get down from the bus and u turned toask me if that was the right stop, I smiled and said, it is. I remember later ub told me that that was the first time u felt at home in the new environement.
We sat for studies together. We went home and later came to college byb the same bus. U were new to my straight faced jokes, but later..."ur level increased" :):) we thought same things at the same time. saw many movies together...hey do u remember how we used to wait to eat cheap idlis 5/- per plate on our way home from library or eat those dried fruits (still unnamed) or boiled groundnuts?
We both managed to clear the exams. and later in due course, both started working, u with a CA and me as a language expert in an IT company. contacts became less...but still..whenever there is a need to just talk I still dial ur no...whenever I feel like sharing my dukhda..ur no comes to my mind...and whenever I was to share something amazing its u who comes to my mind.
I love when u call up and with all the sarcasm say that..."call karne kya hota hain???" why should I call you? when I have daily thoughts of u, wondering at ur wellness and always glad to hear your voice.
I would just like to say to you..."thanks for bieng there always for me " U are one of the few people who made a drastic change in my life

A small experience

Some late latif...hurrying from here to there, caught up in traffic, getting incessant phone calls from angry mom and worrying friends. the traffic never just seemed to get over, finally made to get down and almost run towards the friend's place for picking her up. heels were never a problem before :):)

It seemed (??) rather cool later, max in 15 minutes the clan would reach "pop tates" a much awaited treat. but trouble started there itself. a friend who was getting the car, reached late...thanks to the pesty traffic harassment. the reason was understood a bit later. there was some holy occasion at one of the religious places, hence the cars were amassing to a bottleneck..on ne peut pas bouger i.e one couldn't just move. It felt like ants in a carriage and all the carriages were moving in a leisure pace. Sleep and hunger were fighting over their supremacy over the body. Her friend who was driving the car, had just learnt to do so. and she wondered how he handled instructions from all sides, at the same time talking, concentrating on the road and laughing

and finally the destination arrived, only to be seen as full with waiting list. the next option obviously became a bit costly "legacy of china" restaurant. the two gals waited in the patio till the guys went to park the car. soon they were inside the dim n calm restaurant, with occasional blasts of heartbeat quickening music emanating from the pub next door. after placing the soup and and exotic starter (dragon pom poms to be precise) the famished foursome set to devour the complimentary vinegary and sugar water preserved cabbage and radish+carrots called kimchi (literally meaning pickle/fermented veggies with seasonings in Korean cuisine). The talks started on her recent engagement and marriage and a playful badger of her friends. but her lids were already closing and she preferred to stay quiet instead of blabbering all kinds of nonsense. She was already snoozing before the soup arrived. the soup was refreshing but at the same time it filled the stomach along with the starters. the main course was almost not required. Malaysian flat noodles and spicy gravy with exotic veggies filled the stomach in first serving itself. leaving little place for anything else.
The way back home was sleepy with soft Hindi music played on FM radio. lulling one to sleep.

It was a good day indeed. and she wondered when will be the next time she will be with these friends :). it pricked some where that she is slowing loosing them, as she is moving towards another glorious start, a beginning with her dearer...a true twilight indeed

Time to donne your thinking caps :Of men’s woes in arrange marriage

A colleague of mine met me some days back. He was (desperately) trying to find a match for himself. It could be noticed from his talks . and here was I who thought that only we girls had that constraint . what with the growing age there come helplessness and though desperation comes with the fact of just being only in sync with the society, the other girl clan, rather than for your own happiness. Leave my philosophy aside.

so this colleague was narrating some funny (?) incidents relating to the very notorious but not that villainous “arrange” marriage
Both the incidents actually made me stunned, having gone through the similar process myself, and hearing hurting facts from my friends, we gals thought that it’s a torture but only for gals, but never knew that it’s the same for the guys. But this narration woke me from my slumber and made me wonder…if sometimes gals can be as crude as guys…hey, at least give a sensible reason for rejection.

Incident 1: scene: the meeting between the guy and the girl. The guy has it all. Presentable looks, amazing career. The girl…good indeed herself.
Reason for rejection: the guy is not fair enough (the girl was two shades darker than him)

Incident 2: scene: the meeting between the guy and the girl. The girl MA in economics, the guy BE (throughout topper) why I thought of mentioning the topper thing is that the reason of rejection: the guy is not a post graduate.

This is not aakhon dekhi but just suna suni, and that’s why couldn’t say much. But that surely had me thinking, that do sometimes gals think this way or just so crude???
Coz I can honestly understand how important it is to “click” with the other person or your supposedly better half…but then why keep a sham of the things that actually dont and ideally shouldn’t matter??? Never got the answer for this as yet